The Nigeria Police Force has announced the rescue of 13 kidnapped individuals in Kwara State and the arrest of five suspected armed robbers in Lagos State.
These breakthroughs came after a series of coordinated operations aimed at curbing kidnapping, armed robbery, and other crimes across the country.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, shared the updates on Sunday, emphasizing the police’s commitment to intensifying anti-crime strategies nationwide.
He highlighted that recent efforts in Lagos and Kwara States had resulted in significant successes, including the rescue of kidnapped victims and the apprehension of armed robbery suspects.
“In a determined effort to sustain the fight against kidnapping, armed robbery, and other forms of criminality across the country, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have further intensified and reinvigorated their strategies, resulting in the successful rescue of numerous victims and the apprehension of several suspects. Over the past week, coordinated operations were conducted in various states, including Lagos and Kwara States, leading to the rescue of 13 individuals who had earlier been kidnapped and held for ransom, and the arrest of several armed robbery suspects,” the FPRO said.
Providing details about the operations in Kwara State, Adejobi said police operatives launched a rescue mission in the Idofin-Igbana area following a distress call about the abduction of 13 people.
Despite resistance from the kidnappers, the operatives successfully overpowered them, forcing the criminals to flee and ensuring the safe rescue of all 13 victims.
“On December 27, 2024, police operatives attached to the Kwara State Command mobilised and stormed a den of kidnappers in the Idofin-Igbana area of the state, after receiving a distress call of the abduction of 13 persons. The operatives encountered resistance from the kidnappers but successfully overpowered the kidnappers, causing them to flee the scene with various degrees of injuries and leading to the successful rescue of the 13 kidnapped victims,” Adejobi disclosed.
In Lagos State, on December 28, 2024, the police apprehended two suspects, Lawan Mustapha and Aina Daniel, aged 38, during an operation prompted by a public disturbance report.
Adejobi revealed that the suspects were found with a double-barrel rifle, 90 live cartridges, and five model rifles.
He added that three other suspects were also arrested the same day. A search conducted during their arrest uncovered a locally made pistol, four live cartridges, and two cutlasses.
The suspects are currently in custody and will face prosecution upon the conclusion of investigations.
